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Data from: Effects of forest age and invasive shrubs on mycophilous Coleoptera communities in a temperate deciduous woodland

Brown, Jeff1; Stireman, John1

Published May 21, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vq83bk45j

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Abstract

Forests in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. have been profoundly affected by human use over the last 150 years, with few old growth forests remaining. Such mature forests may harbor distinct communities and high biodiversity, particularly detritivores and their associated food webs. These communities, however, have been surveyed only rarely in comparisons of diversity and community composition between old and young forests. Here, we document the mycophilous beetle community of young and old deciduous forest stands in Southwestern Ohio (U.S.A.). We assess how the abundance and diversity of beetles associated with fungal sporocarps varies with forest age, downed woody debris, and invasive honeysuckle density. We surveyed fungus-associated beetles with baited traps at eight wooded parklands centered around Dayton, Ohio, three times over a growing season. In contrast to expectation, we found no clear effect of forest age on mycophilous beetle communities, but infestation by invasive honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) negatively affected beetle abundance and diversity. Beetle abundance, richness, and community composition also strongly varied across seasonal sampling periods. Our surveys of mycophilous beetles in a Midwestern U.S. forest represent an initial step towards understanding these communities are shaped by forest traits. Such information is crucial in managing forests to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.